Hendra's Learning Experience

Finally Submitted

2008-07-21T23:37:00.017+08:00

I am very relieved that my final year project submitted already. I manage to do CD cover and label design. Well, not something fancy but I like it as it is a clean-cut and elegant one, just like my taste of design. It was rather last minute though when I decided to do it. I just use Adobe Illustrator to design it and for a better result for printing. Since it is for final year project, I might as well wrap it up nicely. Here's how it looks like.

With this entry, I want to wish every one good luck for their future undertakings. I am looking forward to my nice holiday for now. Everyone deserve a break after hardwork, isn't it? So have a blast!

Week 16 - 98% Completed

2008-07-18T18:24:00.009+08:00

This week I am just waiting for the submission. This is simply because I realize the more I try to do changes to my project, the more errors I must debug. So, I am currently happy with my web-site with a few additional features and functions I have embed to it (Rate and Comment functions). Something more than what I have presented, but it is relevant to my scope of project.

Finally I almost complete the course. I learn a lot from this final year project, especially web design using PHP and MySQL. Although its look simple but I am sure I will improve better in future. I must say that I benefited a lot from self-learning and doing research.

Now I am left with final testing and making sure that all my features work perfectly before I make my fully working website available online for public access. It seems that three years has gone in a blink.

Week 15 - Video Tutorial Finally Done

2008-07-13T20:02:00.006+08:00

I manage to finish my video tutorials finally. I am so relieved. Anyway, I guess I was glad because this is one of the most difficult part for me. Thankfully, with some support and motivation I manage to get it done finally. I have come up with four videos for the tutorial. I may enhance it in the future, but that will certainly do for now.

After the alpha test, I am just progressing in terms of completing my unfinished part for the project. So far I have manage to debug errors along the way and also add in several other features to it. I'll be working on other minor back end as well as front end feature before submission. I guess I'll be done soon. As for now, I'll be a preparing for my upcoming exam. So, that's all for this week.

Week 14 - The Alpha Test

2008-07-06T20:56:00.008+08:00

Alpha test was finally done. I am happy that I am able to present my work to the class. Although I got stuck a little bit as some of the page were not loaded properly. It gave a me shock, but thankfully it was not such a big deal. I believe that my work is fine so far. I just need to make sure that my codes works properly and that my pages loaded properly too when I submit my work.

I have finished all my static tutorials with screen shots and some video tutorials as well. Nonetheless, the other pages like download page, and gallery pages for video samples and rendered work images are fully completed as well. As for my admin page where my back end CMS codes actually are placed, I still need to do minor debugging to make it work perfectly.

Other than than, I am also done with modifying and customizing my forum pages. Phew..It seems like I have done quite a lot, but I still need to complete my unfinished video tutorials.

Now that I have completed my alpha test, I have also upload my website. Check it out in this url address provided. http://www.hendrazone.com/

Week 13 Progression

2008-07-01T00:33:00.010+08:00

I have been working on my tutorial contents again this week. It may seems like simple work, but I guess I find it tedious. Good thing is I have completed my static text-based tutorials with screen shots. I'm glad that I managed to finished them. It is just so tiring to type out the contents and do the tutorials using 3dsMax at the same time. Hopefully my tutorials can be understood. At least I have tried my best for that.

I have also plan out my videos tutorial contents. That is one of the main component that I am yet to complete. Besides the tutorials, I have been working on my CMS(Content Management System) part as well. As I am not yet an expertin PHP and My Sql, I do take sometime debugging the errors I come across at times. However, the progression is so far so good. Not done yet, but I think I do progressed. Well, this coming Thursday will be the alpha test. I hereby wish everyone the best of luck.

Tutorial Page

Edit Tutorial in the Admin Page

Week 12 Progression

2008-06-22T17:12:00.011+08:00

This week is another hectic week for me. I have been working continuously on my tutorial content. It takes me quite a while to come up with a tutorial. I have to actually do it step by step in 3dsMax and capture the static screen shots, not forgetting to type in the explanation. It is harder than I thought it'll be. Moreover, I have to check on grammar and usage of words to make sure that my tutorials are understandable and reliable.

I have upload a few tutorials to my website at the moment. I have also complete my gallery page and my download page. Good thing is that I finally manage to convert sample video works that I want to show in the site without slowing it down after converting. I convert it from flash.

This week I will most probably still work on my tutorials and continue coding for the back-end part of my website. Front-end wise, I guess I'm on the safe side already. I guess I will be stresser than ever from now on because I still have other assignments to do. A week before alpha test!

Download page

Week 11 - Working on Tutorial Contents

2008-06-14T16:58:00.007+08:00

During the entire week 11, I have been organizing my contents for the word-based tutorials with screen shots as the visual guidelines that I am going to put in to my website. However, it is quite hard. I have to make sure that my tutorials are understandable for all. I have completed a few tutorials and yeah, that's quite a progress. Apart from that, I have also been working on my sample works pages. The gallery page that will display 3D works that I have done and the video animation that I have done for my previous assignments too. I have also manage to get a classmate of mine to contribute her sample work to be used in my gallery page.

I have challenge compressing it to smaller size. When I convert it to flv format, the videos actually lag. Haiz.. I am still exploring on that. Anyone know any solution to this? If I upload straight from my original work, it'll take forever to load. I tried uploading it to youtube, but also failed.

I managed to rendered couple of images from 3ds Max that I am going to display in my gallery page. I have my gallery page running properly. And I am using flash to do my gallery page. It is quite a progressive week for me. One of the sad part is, I haven't actually start recording my video tutorials. I plan on doing it after I sort out the current portion of my project progress. Again, wish me luck! That's all for now, have a busy week ahead.

Image Gallery Page

Video Gallery Page

Week 10 - Adrenaline Rush

2008-06-08T17:03:00.014+08:00

Aargh...I wish time can just go a little slower. I am progressing very slow for this week. The reason has got to be me being very lost while exploring PHP codes. It seems that I take a very long time to digest the new coding concerning PHP and MySQL. Maybe it is because, I am only learning the basic in school. I have to do a lot of extra research and trying out the codes on my own. I am glad that there are many tutorial site online and references that you can find regarding PHP stuff. Thank's to Mr. Luke for responding to my doubts at times too. At least I know I am not alone.

It is good in a way that I can use my learning experience in job hunting later on when I graduate. At least I know what I am good at and which area I need to improve on for my website development. I wish to learn more PHP coding because I find it very useful in building a dynamic website.

On the other hand, I am pretty doomed because I haven't record any video tutorial yet. I better buckle up a bit. It is challenging for me because I am not confident enough in demonstrating verbally as my English is not as fluent as some of my course mates. However, I am rehearsing and practicing. So..wish me luck ok?? I sure hope that my tutorials will be understandable.

That's about it this week. I feel like finishing the course. It's been 3 years. Well, I wish everyone else the best of luck in FYP. The end of the semester is really close.

Week Nine - Documentation Ready

2008-06-01T14:55:00.005+08:00

I am so glad that I finally completed my documentation to be submitted tomorrow. It is very difficult task for me to do because I am not very good with words. However, by allowing Ms. Megan to proofread my document, I am more confident that I am at the safe zone. Through the few proofreading sessions by her, I made suggested improvement and add necessary detail to my storyboards. I am also more clear that the annotated storyboard expected by VU is so much more like screen shots.

This week, I manage to show my project progression to Ms Megan and the class. I am happy to know that the feedback I get were positive although there are some suggested changes to be made. I am also spending a lot of time to study PHP codes because my website concern mainly PHP coding. I am happy with the clean-cut look of my site and I'll do what I can to finalized my banner design.

I am supposed to start working on my tutorial becasue that is one of the core of my project. Hopefully I can come up with acceptable and understandable tutorials. Time really pass very quickly. Few more weeks of busy and hard work, and before you know it, we will be done with the course. Have a good week ahead.

Week Eight - Releived

2008-05-25T15:20:00.006+08:00

Initially, I was so worried about this week. Honestly, I was still quite lost about documentation because I am not the type of person who enjoy writing. What's worse is that we were told to come up with 10,000 words, but thankfully Ms. Megan had re-explain about the requirement. At the end, as long as the projects is clearly explained with storyboards and the necessary explanation, it will be sufficient. Phew...She was so kind that she actually extend the submission date as well. Thanked God for this. It is such a huge relieved, at least to me. Now I can concentrate more on my final year project. Although I still have to finished up my documentation, but I'm more convinced that I can get it done on time since it is no longer 10,000 words (smiling with tears of joy =D ) In addition, she also show us example of some documentation done by VU students.

I showed my interface to Ms Megan as well, and she said it was good. Another releiving things to hear. I'm more motivated when I know I am at the right path. She also showed us some pretty good examples that VU srtudents have done for their final year project. It has become clearer to me about what VU expect form us. Apart from my completed interface, I managed to worked on and code my website in PHP as well. So far so good except errors debuging can be a major headache and frustrating. However, Mr. Luke also do help me clarify some of my doubts this week about some PHP code. That's all for this week. More update next week.

oh ya one more thing, i manage to finish my contact us page.. here is the screenshot

Week Seven

2008-05-16T00:54:00.009+08:00

In the seventh week , I finally manage to finish my main page for the website. Doing website is not easy, it contains many small things and elements that make me confuse sometimes. I can easily get frustrated when the things goes wr0ng such as error happen. so i must be patient with that. I am still not very expert when it comes to PHP, MySQL and other website development languages like the Javascript as well, therefore, exploring them took me quite sometimes. Thankfully, I do learn a lot of things while developing my project.

I have learn that coding the website isn't simple eventhough the layout may look clean-cut. I also manage to configure and set up the server space that I purchase few weeks ago. It isn't difficult after all. So far, I haven't really encounter any major problems that I didn't manage to solve after researching, however I am very stress about the final year project documentation. I have never fancy documenting works. Like it or not, I have to finish it. That's it for now, I'll be back for update next week.

Main Page

Week 6 - My Brain is Steaming

2008-05-05T20:54:00.004+08:00

As the due date for documentation is getting closer, I have become more stressful compared to previous week. It seems that so many things have to be done. Thankfully my production time line help to keep me in track. Last week, which is week six, I am working on my project documentation. In addition, I have also done further research on PHP and MySQL which will later on help me in developing my website.

Besides that, I think I am done with my main page interface which probably just need a little modification. Another important thing to be noted is about the copyright issue. I have e-mailed some of the site administrators regarding certain copyright issues that may concern me. An example scenario will be, I am not very sure if I can put in the 3ds Max logo in my website as I will be teaching the 3ds Max software. However, I haven't get any reply back from them. Copyright stuffs are indeed troublesome. Thanked God, I actually will come out with the contents for my website mostly by myself. Anyway, that will be all for now. More updates next week. Have a busy week ahead to all.

Busy Week Five

2008-04-28T01:27:00.004+08:00

Week five is gone and hopefully week six will be snailing down just a bit. I've been busy working on my interface after the concept demonstration to present my storyboards. It is indeed not an easy job at all. The ideas that you draft out in the first round will never be the final outcome you'll be producing. I've modified several things and currently done with my main page. Let's see if I'll do some other modification. I'll get some feedback on my current stage.

I've purchased my own server space few weeks back. However, I only manage to get it worked last week and the server part is no longer a headache at the moment. At least I'm preogressing although it is quite a slow progression I must say.

Documentation for the final year project will be due in week eight which is two weeks from now, so yeah, I'll have to work on that too. With all the other assignments and test, I must say that I am pressurised. I guess I am not alone. That will be all for the time being, more updates later on this week.

Week Four Progress

2008-04-21T13:19:00.006+08:00

Everybody is busy with their final year project and other assignments now. I am very tensed up because there are so many things pending right now. Last week, I have been working on my proposal for my project as well as consulting my lecturers to clarify my doubts. So far, my given feedback is ok, yet the comments from my lecturers give me pressure. It seems like I have to actually come up with better online tutorial website compared to what's already there on the net. I was thinking, how is that possible? I surely will put in my best effort because this is my final year projects. However, how can it be possible to come up with a website that has better quality in every aspects compared to the existing online websites? I am really stress.

Success doesn't come easy, isn't it? Whatever it is, I'll strive harder and do the best I could for my final year project. I am currently working on my interface as well as my detail storyboards to be presented to my lecturer for the concept demonstration. I will also be doing my documentation on a regular basis to document my project as it'll be due on week eight. I bet everyone is busy with so many things in hand to handle. All the best and have a great busy week ahead.

Week 3

2008-04-12T10:31:00.005+08:00

In this week 3, finally my final year project title is approved. so i must really concentrate to do my project. In this week, i will start to do my storyboard and show it to Ms.Jaya. She will guide us to do the system. and also about the documentation of this project, Ms.Sara will guide us to do so.

In this week, i will start do my sketch of my web interface. i will ask feedback about it. and also i want to research about the format that i want to use for my movie later, whether i want to use flv or mov format... i am still thinking about that...

Anyway, as time going, we will be busy and have a lot of pressure. so star the engine, press the gas speed up and no more games.

Week Two is Gone!!

2008-04-07T00:03:00.004+08:00

Arghh...Time goes really fast indeed. I can't believe that week two is gone just like that. Well, what can I say? This week has been ok eventhough I didn't manage to do much for my final year stuff. I haven't get any feedback for my second proposal. I really hope that I can get it as soon as possible so that I will be able to start working on it. This week, I am basically tring to research more about database and dynamic website stuff which will be useful for my project if my title is approved.

I have also start a little bit on my other assignments since I can't do much for my final year project at the moment. This week's reading on copyright's rule and regulation in general has really helped me to understand more about what I should and what I shoudn't do when it comes to taking resources online. Although I have a rough idea about copyright law, this week's reading discussion is definately beneficial. So, friends..be careful about using the resources online! You will never know when you will be caught!

I am going to end my post here for this week, and hopefully I'll get my feedback soon. Have a nice week ahead.

Week One

2008-03-30T13:07:00.004+08:00

Hello. I have created this blog for showing my progression in working on my final year project. in this first week, I am struggling quite alot in choosing my final year project title. I guess, I feel so stressed up because I must do it again and again when my proposed title is not approved or in most cases impossible to be developed within the given time frame. So in my case, I'm redoing my final year project title, because my first final year project title is about informative website which does not meet the requirement fully. VU expect student to be more creative when we choose a topic for our final year project and if student still insist on working on a website, then dynamic elements need to be present, attractive look and feel as well as interactivity and complexity needed to be taken into consideration throughout the development process. It confuses me and I can't focus in producing any idea. Thankfully, after several consultation with my lecturer (Ms.Sara) in my case, I managed to come up with a new title.

I am hoping that my refined proposal is approved si that I can proceed and start working for it. I have decided to proposed on creating an online learning site for learing the basic 3Ds Max. I'll include video tutorial, forum, downlodable 3D works, etc. As you can see, interactivity and dynamic element will be there. I definately need tp brush up my skills and study more about PHP and My SQL in this case. I decided to do it because I have interest in this particular field. Working as a web designer and developer is what I'm planning to persue in the near future. Therefore Ihope that this final year project can be part of my portfolio.

As I am told that, student need to respond on reading articles every week in their blog. This week reading is about " US Copyright Law". I have read the article and it is basically about the copyright law they have in US. It is quite enlightening as I have no idea about it until I actually read about it. I know that in most countries, copyright law do exist to protect the work from different people so that it'll not be used without permission as a sign of respect to the authors or artists. It's pretty interesting how different laws in different countries varies, but I believe there are reasons behind every laws that exist.

That's all for my first week entry. I'll update more next week. Have a nice day.